Delivery and Safety: A Two-Way Street

Delivery is its bread-and-butter. And service is in its name. So, the U.S. Postal Service takes pride in delivering mail to every address in America.

But declining mail volume, changes in the network, a downsizing of its workforce, and evolving customer needs have led to changes in delivery. Further, a wide range of variables, such as weather, employee absences, or new carriers to a route, can affect delivery every day. These changes and variables pose challenges to the Postal Service in meeting its targeted “24-hour clock initiative,” which is to collect, distribute, and deliver mail on time and to have 95 percent of letter carriers off the street by 5 p.m.

In recent years, more carriers have been returning after 5 p.m. That percentage increased nationally from 25 percent in fiscal year (FY) 2011 to 38 percent in FY 2013. Mail delivery after dark raises carrier safety concerns while late mail makes consumers unhappy.

Our recent audit report looked specifically at the Capital District, which experienced a 14 percentage point increase in city carriers returning after 5 p.m. We found the increase was due to (1) delayed delivery of mail from the processing facilities to the delivery units, and (2) supervisors failing to properly supervise city delivery operations. Our recommendations centered on modifying operating plans to get mail to the delivery unit earlier in the day and on adhering to policies and procedures for supervising city delivery operations.

Also, we encouraged management and union officials to work together to address carrier safety. External stakeholders have already offered some ideas worth considering, such as brightly colored, reflective clothing to make carriers more visible, and realigning delivery routes so carriers can start earlier in dangerous areas.

We welcome your suggestions as well. What more could be done to get carriers off the streets by the targeted 5 p.m. return time? Given all the variables that can affect the ability to complete deliveries by 5 p.m., what additional precautions could be taken to enhance carrier safety?

Comments (160)

Cindy Gossett

I was returning some toietry items my daughter sent and amazon told me that my mail carrier would have a slip for me to return the package. When my mail carrier came the next day he didn't have one, but because I have a broken ankle he was nice enough to take any way and said he could it for me. I live in Kennewick, WA 99336. Only now I have no idea what happened to that package, it had over $30.00 of items in it. How do I find out what happedened to it; the postman picked it up January 2nd, 2018

Feb 19, 2018

Rosemarie Laraway

Due to freezing conditions here in Fishers, IN, our mailboxes are frozen shut. My guestion is: Is it illegal for the mail carrier to put our mail in the newspaper slot since they were unable to gain access to the mailbox?

Jan 12, 2018

Laura

I work for a school and we receive lots of mail. Our carrier is polite and helpful, but in the winter time, it is very dangerous for me to go out and collect the mail due to the snowbanks built up by the plows. I have almost fallen into traffic 3 times and as it is a busy 4 lane highway, it is an obvious concern. I have contacted the post office. The first response was it is too dangerous for the carrier to pull in our parking lot to deliver the mail in the office (about 20 yards farther into the property) and when I pointed out it was more dangerous for me to walk into traffic than it is for her to pull into the driveway, the reason changed to we'd have to pay her more because she'd have to walk to the office. She does do this anyway when there is more mail than our oversized mailbox can handle. Do I have any alternatives (other than a PO box as it's almost not possible for us to send someone to pick up mail on a daily basis, not to mention the cost burden on an already financially strapped school.) I do have the contact info for PAGR, but I don't want to start world war 3 with my carrier!

Jan 09, 2018

pater

I've seen several comments here discussing vehicles parked in front of mailboxes. To be more specific, is there a recommended or legal distance by which a carrier can determine that it's blocked and so doesn't have to deliver?
I ask because my neighbor parks very close to my mailbox on most days, and I see my carrier having to park at odd angles to get my mail in the box. It's clearly difficult for them; but worse, I can't tell if sometimes when they just drive past, it's because there was no mail for me that day - or it's because it's a different driver who just wasn't going to go through that.
I just would like to know 1) what's the definition of blocked and 2) if it turns out my neighbor is in violation, can USPS put a note on their vehicle to say this?
If it comes from an authority like USPS it's more likely to be noticed. Also, I'm not 100% sure they are breaking any rules since I can't prove my empty mailbox is ever because of them; but I do know for sure they make it inconvenient for my carrier.
Thanks.

Jan 09, 2018

Denise Mayernik

Are postal workers permitted to cut across my lawn? I pay to have sidewalks cleared and my carrier is cutting through my yard. I do not appreciate it. It is also dangerous because my water line was replaced in the summer and I have a large sink hole. Yard is extremely uneven.

Jan 02, 2018

Jeff

Yes than can cut across your lawn but you can request them not too and they will oblige.

Jan 06, 2018

Joan Finnell

A postal worker sorts his mail each day at a baptist church in Jacksonville, Fla. where my husband's sister is pastor. He also eats his lunch there and is helpful with heavy packages whenever the pastor's office gets one. Is this allowed by the U.S. Post Office or is it legal?

Dec 29, 2017

David

I've been told by my post office that they will not deliver mail down my road. They did not offer a reason. We have been forced to pay for a p.o. box because they will not deliver my mail. Should my p.o box not be free of cost if my mail cannot be delivered? I literally live 1000 yards from the post office.

Dec 26, 2017

John Malone

I live in an upper scaled neighborhood with low crime. We have mail boxes on the curb that is serviced from a USPS vehicle. We live in Southern California so weather is never a problem. The postal carriers are pleasant and professional. The problem - the delivery time is with rare exception after 5 PM and sometimes as late as 7:30 PM. Sometimes we have given up looking, figuring we didn't get mail that day only to find it early the next day. The causal's are obvious. Near our community we have some neighborhoods that are hilly and door delivered necessitating a walking postal worker. This being the case we always get the new letter carrier and they immediately put in for a transfer to anywhere but here. Because we are near the end of the route we often get someone who is picking up some of the route to make a little overtime. The solution - adjust the route so it becomes more desirable to work. Cutting down the size or swapping out some of the walking area would make my neighbors happy and the carrier happy and safer. It's dark about 5:30 now and ending your working day with two hours of darkness is a hardship. The people are great and trying to do their best but it hasn't worked for the 4 1/2 years I've lived here and it's time we get creative. Thanks

Dec 13, 2017

Kevin carl

Dana glesener of New Freedom post office PA has no high school diploma or GED and is having someone else drive her around to deliver mail I cannot see how people can get away with this

Dec 12, 2017

Daniel cruz

I'm having problem with my mailman...he doesn't like to get off to deliver the mail. So when there is a car blocking my mailbox I don't receive my mail. Isn't there a law where my mail can't be withheld?

Dec 02, 2017

Jeff

When a vehicle is blocking your mailbox we are not allowed to get out to put in your mail..It is the customer s responsibility to give us a clear path to your box. The reason the box is curbside is so we can deliver more addresses on that route. If we get out that defeats the purpose.

Jan 06, 2018

David

There is a law regarding the holding of mail, but it does not say what you want it to.
Mail is to be delivered in a timely manner, but a carrier does not have to dismount his vehicle to deliver to a blocked curbside box. Blocking a mailbox is actually illegal in most places.
Receiving your mail is your right, but delivery to your house is a privilege. As long as mail is available for you to pick up, it can be held at the post office. If you cannot pick up the mail during business hours, they can even force you to rent a PO box. The key is that there has to be a legitimate reason.
If leaving the vehicle could create any safety concerns or delay the delivery of other people’s mail, your carrier has the right to move on. If you don’t think the delay is much, consider having to set the brake, curb the tires, turn of the engine, unbuckle, and then doing the reverse sometimes up to twenty times a day.
The best thing would be to move your vehicle out of the way of the mailbox. If it is not your vehicle blocking the box, call the non-emergency number for the local police and have the owner ticketed for improper parking.
I hope this helps.

Dec 12, 2017

Teresa Papproth

I watched my mail carrier drive past my mailbox even though I knew from informed delivery that I had mail coming. I drove to catch up with her and she said because there was a car parked a few feet past my mailbox she is not required to get out of her delivery car and place my mail in my box (unless she is delivering a box). We live in a cluster home neighborhood where cars are allowed to park on the street during the day.I have never had a carrier refuse to step out to deliver my mail before. What are the guidelines on this?

Nov 30, 2017

Jeff

We are required not to get out to deliver mail if your box is blocked, it is customer responsibility to give a safe path to mailbox, one where we don't have to go in reverse because a car is 2 feet in front of box

Jan 06, 2018

Eric B.

So much for the lip service in this article. City wide; Phoenix carriers are starting at 9:30am as of this Saturday. I guess carrier safety and customer satisfaction no longer matters.

Nov 29, 2017

Jabari Ray

Where a carrier comes back late consistently, it could be the route is too large. Consider decreasing the size of the routes, creating new routes and hiring qualifies employees to carry those routes. Increasing the truck fleet size and ensuring there is a safe turnaround spot in all driveways, or a safe place on the road to park. Blind curves should be considered for in driveway delivery with safe turnaround or a P.O.Box.

Nov 27, 2017

Mae Kief

I am in a rural area. Require people to have large boxes. Change the size requirements and have people install really large mail boxes, like the farm boxes. In talking to my carrier there is a lot of mail that wont fix into the 'normal' size mail boxes people have always used and she has to deliver to the house, which takes longer. There are a lot more packages these days. Mine will hold the large Priority mail boxes, plus other mail.
Have people follow installation requirements and fix their mail box if needed, or no mail. I see a lot of mail boxes tilted over, too low or damaged. Takes longer to make delivery.
I am having problems with mail be delivered after 6 PM, one night it was after 8 PM. Its dark now and can be dangerous to cross the road, and, there is the multiple trips to the box I have to make.
Have sorting done locally. Martinsburg WV mail is now sent to Baltimore MD to be sorted and sent back. So much for saving gas, energy and the planet. See your problem number 1.
And of course, hire more carriers. This appears to be going on in a lot of areas. More carriers are needed.

Nov 26, 2017

Mary

What are the rules for street mailboxes ?

Nov 03, 2017

Gary Johnston

Why cant a carrier deliver a packwge that wont fit in my mail box on a private road when in the same park they deliver mail to mail dox on a private road right with in 100 foot of my house

Oct 18, 2017

Linda Oliver

Never got reply to my comment or an email? Should another person be allowed to deliver packages before 08:00 am that my carrier can do during regular hours? They're self employed and those deliveries by someone else takes away from their 'bread and butter'! They have been on route for 20 years we have a trust but this stranger coming before they get to work and instead of them in the afternoon is very disturbing! My carrier knows where I want my packages and I don't like those stealing from their extra income!!! VERY disappointed in this change of service!!!

Aug 17, 2017

Linda Oliver

Is it appropriate for packages to be delivered before 08:00 a.m. By a carrier that I don't know?

Aug 14, 2017

Priscilla Atwood

Our carrier is not deliveringg and we have video of the box being clear of obstruction. She returns our mail and leaves nothing telling us of the return. This has been ongoing for months. I feel it is a violation and abuse of authority. Is what she's doing legsl?

Jul 25, 2017

OIG Blog Moderator

Hi Priscilla, and thanks for your message. The best thing to do would be to file an online complaint with our Hotline by clicking the red button at the top right-hand corner of the website, which reads "report waste, fraud, and abuse." This will allow us to look into the matter for you.

Jul 26, 2017

Brooke

I understand that USPS needs to make up for the reduction in mail revenue by accepting more priority and overnight mail from companies like Amazon, but I pay a premium for those services to have 1 or 2 day delivery. The issue is that my local USPS (Tavares, Florida) has set up our neighborhood with a community mail box and parcel boxes because we are on dirt roads. However, USPS keeps accepting parcels that will not fit in the parcel boxes and so they just keep putting notices in our mail box that say "attempted deliver" and then returning the box to the post office and requiring us to go pick them up. Why in the WORLD are they accepting the parcel from Amazon (and other companies) if they can't deliver them? The end result is that I am not getting my deliveries in the 1-2 day time frame as promised and I still have to go get the package instead of having it delivered! USPS should stop accepting parcels they can't deliver! I am totally fed up with this and have complained to Amazon and been refunded as much as 50% of the price of the product. I don't see that this sort of issue is going to be good for the USPS in the long run. I tried to address this with my local Post Master, and got the brush off and was treated like it was not their fault that the promised delivery time wasn't met. This is ridiculous! If USPS accepts the parcel, USPS should deliver it! I don't own the undersized parcel boxes, USPS does. It is up to USPS to fix the problem and deliver my parcels!

Jul 18, 2017

D. Valente

I have the very same issue. I order something from Amazon with 1-2 day delivery and the postal carrier always leaves a "sorry we missed you" and I get an email from Amazon saying that delivery was "attempted". Delivery is not being attempted...I am home and nobody came to my door. I then call and get an apology. The problem is that when I or someone sends me priority mail it is because it is a PRIORITY. When the post office here in Bourne, MA leaves me that little orange note I can't pick up my mail until the following day, which in most cases is too late for the reason I needed it PRIORITY MAIL. I have been told it won't happen again and guess what? It just happened today. Then when I called the post office I was told that the carrier can't get out of the truck on "MY STREET" to come up my driveway to deliver it to my house and they can't bring the truck up because it is too dangerous to back up. I have a circular driveway! How is that dangerous? How about they teach their drivers how to back up a small truck? UPS and FED-X does it with huge trucks. My street is marked in "red" on the safety map??? Why then do I sometimes get the packages at my door and other times I do not??? Very frustrating. I definitely agree with you!

Aug 01, 2017

Marsha Blackstone

I am posting this here to ask if the mail carriers are NOT allowed to deliver mail on dirt roads? I know it sounds stupid but that is what I was told by the folks working for the North Augusta South Carolina post office. This is not the first time I have had this problem. I am 63 and disabled, my mail box is 1/2 mile from my front door. I can not see the box from my home However there is a lock box located there for parcels.
I ordered shoes and was notified that they would be delivered today, 07-15-17, no one came to my door, nothing was left in the lock box but there was a peach colored slip in my mail box telling me "sorry we missed you" no one missed me I was here, why couldn't the mail person bring it to my house ? When I called the post office I was told "we can't drive on dirt roads". The road is dry and maintained so please tell me why I can't get my mail.... Thank you, Marsha Blackstone

Jul 15, 2017

Randy Stoner II

Marsha I lived in a Trailer park for about 6 months and they did the exact same thing to Me.
I was ordering a lot from Amazon and had 2 drive 3 miles almost everyday.
I asked the post office "Why cant you deliver mail down my street"?
The excuse was it's a against policy to drive our trucks in reverse (paved rd) to back up the street!
I just think it's cheaper for them to not always deliver to your door. Rather make us pick it up... "Sorry We Missed You" :):):)

Jul 18, 2017

kelly hogan

we only have po box service in our town and i have not been able to get an answer that works for the delivery of my mail when using on line shopping as they do not accept po box addresses and if i use my physical address it is returned to sender. my physical address is unverifiable what can i do

Jun 23, 2017

Blog Moderator

Thank you for your message. The OIG is an independent agency of the Postal Service and day-to-day mail delivery issues are outside of our jurisdiction. If you have not already done so, please try contacting your local Post Office. If you have already done that, try contacting USPS Customer Service, (800-275-8777), or file an online complaint with Customer Service on the USPS website.

Jun 26, 2017

Diane

It's a little late for this year I understand mail boxes are expensive but I would think you all would consider the multi boxes so the carriers have fewer stop I would think it would be less labor in the long run. The investment on the boxes will be a burden with the cost but you need to research if it would save on labor which is your large cost when it comes to your bottom line.

Jun 20, 2017

Paul pento

Hello, I received a item I bought from eBay and the xenon hid baluster has broke and leaked the gas I ask our local usps if it could be shipped back they said no because of the gases that leaked out of the ballast box it's against the law now since the 911 terrorist act to ship anything like that like liquid lithium gases iron so the company wanted me to get something in writing saying that you cannot ship anything lethal like that I know this I even sent them the US PS link and still refuse my refund without something with the post office letterhead saying that it is illegal to ship with you Any lithium iron gases fluids or anything explosive every American knows this and they still want it in writing on a USPS letterhead from the postmaster saying that this headlight what does Xeon gas leaking out of it cannot be shipped is that some kind of letter that you could email me with the US PS Header saying that the Xeon gas cannot be shipped with the broken light so I could get my refund from the company thanks

Jun 07, 2017

Frances Haverstick

Every year during the last week of May around Memorial Day weekend, the city of Augusta, Arkansas has a festival and even shuts down the street in front of the post office. So, we can't get drive to the post office and can barely get into the back. I would appreciate it it being looked into..
Thanks so much.

May 25, 2017

Bruce A Weigand

My mail was delayed because the Mail delivery/carrier decided to change the status of a piece of mail addressed to me. The mail was registered mail but, "Did not require a signature for or at delivery" the carrier altered the requirements of the delivery to be "Signature Required" and picked up at local Post
office, with signature, or be present at next attempted delivery. This is not by Federal law. Please educate/inservice your employees at the North Canton and Canton, Ohio Post offices.

May 17, 2017

OIG Moderator

Hi Bruce,
Thank you for your message. The OIG is an independent agency of the Postal Service which investigates and audits internal fraud, waste, and abuse; and day-to-day mail delivery issues are outside of our jurisdiction. If you have not already done so, please try contacting your local Post Office. If you have already done that, try contacting USPS Customer Service, (1 (800) 275-8777), or file an online complaint with Customer Service.
Very Respectfully,
United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General

May 18, 2017

Travis R.

I live in NYC. I have never seen mail carries work slower, or spend more time not delivering letters. I have seen two postal carriers stop and have a 35 minute conversation about some random crap all while still holding a ton of packages and mail. I would frequently get a "missed you" slip shoved under my door while I was shouting running towards the door that I was here. When I confronted the person they basically said we decide at the beginning of the day what packages we are going to carry around and which one's we aren't. It was a wristwatch... That is a regular occurrence, further I have NEVER seen a regular postal carrier in NYC work at a pace that would be acceptable in any other workplace, including do nothing white collar jobs. I REALLY don't want the post office to fail, because it's a valuable public option, but if they were willing to hire people that wanted to work there wouldn't be a problem. Plus, in NYC the actual office employees sling insults that are worthy of assault lawsuits, but they are usually directed at people who clearly can't afford to get a lawyer, or wouldn't have the time to deal with a lawsuit.

May 02, 2017

A 25 year carrier

I have been a Letter Carrier for 25 years and I have seen the so called route adjustments, managers come and go, stupid decisions made by upper management regarding the mail, starting times and carrier routes. Most of what these so called people in charge do is the most STUPIDEST stuff you can imagine. Like cutting 2 blocks off a route only to add 4 other blocks. DUMB. Then taking away the carriers carts that actually make it a little easier on their backs and shoulders because now they don't have to carrier the weight of a 15-30 lb. bag on their shoulder. The Postal Service need to act like the Letter Carrier position is an important part of this organization and treat them fair and start listening to their concerns. The reason why the USPS can't keep most of the new CCA'S is because of the way the USPS managers and supervisors treat the new CCA'S. I wouldn't want to work for a company that lets it's leaders mistreat the other employees either. The reason why you have carriers out past 5 pm is because the routes are not properly tested and then adjusted. And the company can't keep 85% of it's new hirees because management treats them like DOGS (I HAVE SEEN THIS FIRST HAND) so they quit.

May 02, 2017

John kidd

Are there any requirements for exterior lighting around rural Post Office Buildings.
We have a post office next door to our property and at night the back of the building is Pitch Black you can see nothing. On numerous occasions we will hear noises coming from the back of the building which at times has been nothing more than teenagers parking behind the building. But who knows someone could be getting attacked back there a young female could be getting raped and there would be nothing we could do to try to end it. I have advised the local postmaster in the past and the light was turned on over the back door which resolves the problem. Yes there is a light there I know for a fact I installed it 20 years ago it is a night activated fluorescent high efficiency lamp. Well here we are again in the dark and I've Been Told that the light will remain off to save money what are we talking $0.10 a day. Please this is a simple problem let's get it resolved if they feel the light bulb isn't efficient enough spend $15 and get a new LED better yet if the post office can't afford it let me know I'll buy it for you and install it!

Apr 16, 2017

Erika Zauzig

The USPS has no interest in providing good service. After closing the mail station in Norfolk, Va, the mail service is terrible. Mail is now delayed 2-3 days. I'm lucky if my mail arrives by 6:30pm. The response from USPS about my complaints clearly indicates they don't give a damn about customer service.

Mar 23, 2017

Tina Lorraine

I live in a senior housing apartment. Unbeknownst to me when I moved in, packages, certified mail Registered mail is being given to the manager who's office is not always open. Packages are set on a cart in a common area during the day and during the weekend without supervision. When letters etc t in the office, because of return addresses visable management and staff speculate then gossip begins with residents that hear it. Packes on the cart get tummaged through and some have been stolen. I was appauled my order of checks were left on the cart. I didn't have to go to the cart to know I had a package of checks on the cart. I NEVER signed anything for the management to take possession of any of my mail. Plus what right does the manager have to maintain a key to my mail box. I get confidental legal documents. I thought it was the mail carriers responsibility to deliver packages, certified letters, registered letters, any mail that does not fit in my mail box to me. The manager has in no way been given permission to be delivered to her on my behalf. Can u provide me the federal laws that explain this situation and how it can be ratified. My thought is to hire a mail person with appropriate facilities for residents to receive the privacy/confidentuality afforded those receiving mail at this residential facility. My grandson sent me a gift at Christmas. The manager had gone on vacation. She had the package in the office unknowingly to me. I received the little package when she returned in January. In the meantime he was concerned it had gotten last. The package was sent by us mail with the belief it was going to be delivered to me directly. Concern of where the package might have been avoided had proper delivery would have been made.
Thank You. I look forward to the law that supports or refutes this manner of delivery.

Mar 21, 2017

Sasha Chapman

What is the farthest distance a carrier is required to walk from the station to deliver mail in NYC?

Feb 07, 2017

Anonymous

I live on a highway that has increased dramatically in the amount of traffic that uses it. I have to cross the street to get my mail. And I have to jump down a ditch when I feel threatened by said traffic. In fact, the other day I almost got taken out by a dump truck! I attempted to have our mailbox moved to our side of the street, but unfortunately the route does not come back through our area. I was then informed by the local postmaster that we could move it up the road to a nearby church, or across the street with our neighbors. Also, I was told I can buy a post office box at the post office, which costs money. That is not the answer. I also don't want to have to drive into someone else's driveway to get my mail. To me these are all wrong answers! Poor customer service! Then, I was told by the postmaster that our carrier expressed concerns about coming out of our driveway due to the increased hazard of our road when I have a packages delivered. Well if they feel unsafe wouldn't that mean that I also would feel unsafe crossing the road or pulling out of my neighbor's driveway? By putting the mailbox on our side out of the road, because we are located on a parking lot with a circle, it would allow the driver to pull in, not have to exit his vehicle, not be threatened, and deliver the mail. It would also allow me to walk down get my mail, and not be threatened. TOO EASY!! Such cases may cost you like 2 minutes, but it would go along way in providing safety to your drivers and your customers!!

Feb 02, 2017

Anonymous

doesnt make since, if the mail volume is down that much then. Why is it that it is taking longer for them to get the distribution out to office.

Jan 27, 2017

Anonymous

the keep moving our times later and later. Our office has had ZERO wait time for mail in the last quarter. But, yet they keep moving our start time later. This is only an undermining attempt to forgo paying overtime and the overtime rules within the contract. They have continuously been arguing that they have to meet a 6pm dispatch. I believe there goal is intentional and attempting to ovoid overtime rules. Carriers out past 5 is now intentional. Managers are not managing mail. In our office, district has given direct instruction to leave routes vacant intentionally. leaving part time carriers sitting at home and having vacant routes.

Jan 27, 2017

Anonymous

What is the policy on walk ups? I was told on the phone today by customer service that USPS does not necessarily have to walk up the stairs in walk ups. I have lived in NYC my entire life and this is the first time I hear of this. Several consumer reports have been filed against my specific post office. As of late, none of my packages have been delivered if they do not fit in the regular mailbox of my building. Just this morning, they rang the bell, i asked who and opened, they then sent a notification that there was no safe place to leave my package. Had they asked me to come down I would have, instead of coming inside the building and then leaving when they realized they had to walk up four flights of stairs with a 1lb package.

Jan 26, 2017

M Sexton

Our mail carrier has not delivered mail to our area for over 4 days now and we are not showing an outage or delivery interruption. I do not have the equipment to get the ice-packed snow out front of the mailbox gone but it is not hard to pull up a foot or two from it and access the mailbox...I don't know if it is customary to threaten since we are expecting packages and haven't even gotten those...with no warning/notice, etc. Very frustrating as I am waiting on delivery of several items that I need ASAP. I may forward a complaint to the appropriate agencies - have you received any other feedback on this Deanna?

Jan 15, 2017

Marie

Although I can understand the problems facing the USPS, such as less carriers, etc., the mail in our neighborhood can come anytime up to midnight on any given day. I can live with that, but lately my mail, when delivered in the late night hours is left ON TOP of my mailbox, not IN it. This is an open invitation to thieves and isn't there a safety rule about mail HAVING to be placed inside a mailbox (I do not care so much about magazines or catalogs, but I do care about regular bills and other correspondence. Thanks for answering, I appreciate your time.

Jan 13, 2017

Deana Scott

Is it customary for a mail carrier to threaten a customer that they will stop delivering their mail if they don't shovel out their mailbox? That was my experience yesterday. The snow plows (employed by the city), plow the road in front of our house, leaving a large snow burm in front of our mailbox - and everyone else's on our street. It has been extremely cold in north Idaho the last few weeks and the snow burm is pretty much frozen. Yesterday, while delivering a package to my house, the mail carrier commented that if we don't shovel out around our mailbox, he would stop delivering our mail. This was the first time I have ever been asked to shovel around my mailbox - in all the years I have lived here. Is it legal for a carrier to not deliver mail to a resident? I have never heard of such a thing. I will be researching the law on this and I certainly did not appreciate his attitude about it.

Jan 13, 2017

Carrier

He seemed to be very frustrated and rude. What I do when that happens is I basically write snow and the date on the mail bring it back to the station and then the next day I will bring it out again continuing that until I can finally deliver your mail. Our safety is first.

Apr 10, 2017

Tammy

Yes a carrier can stop your delivery if it is not safe to access your box. If you are a mounted delivery, the carrier is not required to stop and get out to deliver your mail. It is your responsibilty to keep your box clear of all obsticles no matter the circumstance. Would you want to climb snow birms all day long? Most routes are up to 1000 or more deliveries. You can always put your mail on hold at your post office and pick it up at your leisure. While most deliveries are attempted daily it is your responsibility to clear your box including the entrance and exit for a vehicle to access, not just a little path. Just fyi

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